Predicting Big-Name Appearances at WWE WrestleMania 40 Beside The Rock

The card for WrestleMania 40 is bound to look a lot different come April 6-7 than it did even a week ago due to a variety of constantly changing factors.

World heavyweight champion Seth Rollins' knee injury was the first major blow, followed by CM Punk tearing his triceps in the men's Royal Rumble match. Brock Lesnar being pulled from the pay-per-view (h/t WrestleVotes) has also caused a seismic shift in 'Mania plans.

Despite all of that, this year's Show of Shows still has the potential to be a phenomenal two-night extravaganza thanks to the star-studded roster WWE boasts across Raw and SmackDown.

There are plenty of active wrestlers the company can have fill in for those who might miss the show, but it wouldn't be outlandish for some big names to be called upon to take part in some form or fashion.

The Rock is the most obvious candidate in light of a rumored match with Roman Reigns, and it's possible he makes his presence felt in a non-wrestling capacity if that doesn't come to fruition.

In addition to The Great One, the following heavy hitters have a realistic chance of appearing at the premium live event.

For someone who claims he can't be seen, John Cena had a pretty prominent presence on SmackDown throughout the fall, feuding with The Bloodline and forging an alliance with LA Knight.

He vowed to break a five-year losing streak in singles competition at Crown Jewel before falling to Solo Sikoa in decisive fashion. The finish was constructed in a way in which fans were supposed to believe Cena was done, but his in-ring career isn't over yet.

The 46-year-old recently told Nischelle Turner of Entertainment Tonight that he intends to retire within the next few years and that he has a handful of matches left in him. One of those could be a rematch with Sikoa at WrestleMania 40.

Sikoa has hardly been protected since their last encounter, so The Cenation Leader avenging the loss wouldn't be too egregious.

Cena's Hollywood commitments have largely kept him busy as of late, so a role at WrestleMania may not be logistically possible for him this year. If he does resurface on the show, it wouldn't make sense for him to target anyone but The Bloodline.

From most likely to appear to least likely, we arrive at Kazuchika Okada, a hot topic of conversation among wrestling fans at the moment.

As of this week, the multi-time former IWGP world heavyweight champion is officially a free agent. He'll have his farewell match in New Japan Pro-Wrestling at New Beginning against longtime rival Hiroshi Tanahashi on February 11, but nothing is certain regarding his immediate future beyond that.

All signs point to him joining All Elite Wrestling, which is perhaps the most logical landing spot for him given its working relationship with NJPW among other factors, but a move to WWE shouldn't be considered out of the question completely.

If The Rainmaker did put pen to paper with WWE, it would be only appropriate for him to debut on the biggest stage possible at WrestleMania 40.

It wouldn't matter who he'd share the ring with, whether it be for a full-length match or simply a short segment, the reaction from those in attendance at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia would instantly establish him as a star to those unfamiliar with his work.

If Okada stays a free agent long enough, this could be in the cards albeit far from a guarantee.

Jade Cargill signing with WWE last September immediately following the expiration of her AEW contract sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling world, and WWE touting her arrival as such a major happening made it clear that she had a bright future ahead of her.

She disappeared from programming after appearing on Raw, SmackDown and NXT throughout October but made an emphatic in-ring debut in the women's Royal Rumble. Along with eliminating several Superstars, she lasted until the final three and left a lasting impression on the audience in the process.

Since Saturday, fans have questioned what's next for Cargill and where she goes from here. It's not clear what brand she intends to call home, either.

The WWE women's division is deep enough on the main roster at the moment that the company can afford to hold off on having her wrestle her next televised match until WrestleMania. Even if she doesn't compete, she could make an impact just by appearing.

An entrance on The Grandest Stage of Them All from the 31-year-old would be enough to cement her as a star on the rise coming off her stellar showing at the Royal Rumble.

It's been nearly two years since WWE fans last saw Big E inside the squared circle due to a career-threatening neck injury that he thankfully has largely recovered from.

The former WWE champion told Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture over the Royal Rumble weekend that his quality of life remains great but there's no timetable for a return to the ring.

Of course, it's entirely possible he's been medically cleared and is ready to reunite with The New Day, but there's been zero evidence indicating that's the case.

The only thing pointing to this being a reality is the group's recent rivalry with Imperium. It's reached a new level of animosity with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods being outnumbered by the fearsome trio and desperately in need of backup.

This would be the perfect time for Big E to make his grand comeback and even the playing field, but his health comes first.

There's no guarantee this is where the storyline is headed, but an in-ring return for him at WrestleMania would be a monumental moment if it's feasible.

Alongside the rest of Legado del Fantasma, Santos Escobar has been wreaking havoc for months on SmackDown and is clearly on a collision course with Rey Mysterio for WrestleMania.

Mysterio has been out injured since early November, but if he's cleared to compete within the next month, it's safe to assume he will face Escobar at The Show of Shows.

If WWE prefers to make it a multi-man matchup involving members of both factions, Bad Bunny would be a fantastic fit for the LWO side.

His in-ring debut at WrestleMania 37 went off without a hitch, he had another impressive performance in the 2022 men's Royal Rumble, and his Backlash bout with Damian Priest was among WWE's most fun last year.

This appearance would depend on the singer's touring schedule and any other commitments he may have, but getting him involved in 'Mania again would a great get for WWE. He's a world-renowned recording artist and has a legitimate passion for pro wrestling.

Being both beloved and immensely talented, he would be a welcome addition to an already star-studded card.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin stayed retired for almost 20 years before stepping back inside the ring for an unforgettable WrestleMania main event against Kevin Owens in 2022.

Since then, a certain section of the audience has been lobbying for one more match from The Texas Rattlesnake.

In reality, Austin has nothing to prove and closed out his career on top in what was essentially a bonus match. There's no need for him to wrestle again at WrestleMania 40, but that won't stop fans from speculating about the possibility.

As mentioned, those at the event would be just as content with hearing the glass shatter and seeing him lay out someone with a Stunner. He could also endorse LA Knight somehow considering the similarities the two share character-wise.

With everyone expecting The Rock, Austin pulling up to 'Mania instead would be a cool swerve that would electrify the audience in attendance.

It would be difficult to celebrate 40 years of The Show of Shows without one of WWE's most iconic competitors ever in Stone Cold.

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Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.